Does Delaying Traffic Have Points In NJ?​

As an NJ resident, it is necessary that you know the basic traffic rules and regulations of your state. This will not only prevent you from getting charged or fined but also keep others safe and sound.

There are many traffic tickets, including parking tickets, speeding tickets, tailgating tickets, and many more. In this article, we are going to discuss Delaying Traffic Tickets. This ticket covers broader aspects and hence is really important to know about.

The clause regarding this ticket is cited in the New Jersey Revised Statutes under section 39:4-56. Whether you are a novice driver or an old one, you have often overlooked this law. Hence, it is now necessary that you know what this section statement actually means.

Delaying Traffic Ticket: According to the NJ State Law, it restricts drivers from operating a vehicle in a way that would obstruct the flow of traffic or endanger anything, including people, animals, and property. This law is of a broad aspect, certainly not limited to the poorly maintained vehicle or a heavily loaded truck.

Examples:

• Driving a poorly maintained vehicle prone to breakdowns, causing traffic jams.
• Operating an oversized or improperly loaded truck that obstructs roads.
• Using a vehicle unsuitable for public roads, such as industrial equipment, without proper permits.
• A truck with an unsecured load causing delays on highways like the NJ Turnpike.
• A malfunctioning vehicle (e.g., broken lights, slow speed due to mechanical issues) creating bottlenecks.
• Non-standard vehicles (e.g., construction equipment) on public roads without permits.

This provides safety and prevents huge traffic lanes or you getting late for work.

This ticket does not cost you a fortune or certainly not a point landing on your driver’s record. This one can be paid off by a simple $56 in addition to $33 in court costs.

There are zero points attached to a guilty plea or conviction of violating this law. This is one of the lowest charges of a moving violation. Some moving violations, such as 39:4-97.2, “Unsafe Driving,” do not carry points but are relatively expensive.

You can view the particular section from NJ State Law.

NJ violation Point system

The NJ violation points system is devised to keep a record of the violations and charge according to the violation committed. This system helps to reduce accidents and their probability, increasing attention and caution of the drivers due to heavy fines. According to the NJ MVC Points Schedule, delaying traffic tickets do not add points to a driver’s license.

This creates a difference between this and other violations, such as speeding (2–5 points) or reckless driving (5 points). Although no points are recorded, the violation committed remains on your driver’s record. This will impact your insurance premiums; insurers who review your driving history will note it.

Drivers who have multiple violations but no points on their records will face increased investigation from insurers.

Penalties and Fines

A conviction for delaying traffic under N.J.S.A. 39:4-56 carries the following penalties, based on data from NJMCDirect and law firm sources:

• Fine: Approximately $55, though fines may vary by municipality (e.g., $50–$56).
• Court Costs: $33–$34 per court appearance.
• No Points: No points are added to the driver’s license, reducing long-term consequences.
• No Surcharges: Unlike violations with 6+ points, delaying traffic does not trigger NJMVC surcharges ($150 + $25 per point over 6). 

If contested in court, additional costs may apply if the driver loses or pleads guilty, as noted by South Jersey Law Firm. The low fine and lack of points make paying the ticket a common choice, though fighting it may be viable with legal representation.

Defending a Delaying Traffic Citation

Drivers cited for delaying traffic under N.J.S.A. 39:4-56 have several defense options, as outlined by New Jersey Traffic Ticket Attorney;

• Incorrect Statute: Argue the officer cited the wrong law (e.g., N.J.S.A. 39:4-67 for general obstruction), as in State v. Brackin.
• Vehicle Condition: Prove the vehicle was properly maintained, loaded, or suited for the road, negating the statute’s applicability.
• No Delay Caused: Demonstrate that traffic was not impeded (e.g., empty roads or designated slow lanes).
• Emergency Conditions: Show that slow driving was due to a medical or urgent situation, which may justify the delay.

Hiring a traffic attorney (costing $200–$500) can improve outcomes, potentially downgrading the ticket to a non-point violation or dismissing it. Free consultations are common.

When to Fight or Pay the Ticket

Given the low fine ($55) and no points, many drivers opt to pay the ticket via NJMCDirect, avoiding court costs ($33–$34).[10] However, fighting the ticket may be advisable if; The citation risks insurance premium increases (e.g., multiple violations on record).The driver believes the officer misapplied N.J.S.A. 39:4-56 (e.g., citing driver conduct instead of vehicle condition).The driver faces other tickets, where legal representation could reduce overall penalties.

References

Factual data and reports in this article are not owned by us. Please see the referenced sources for the original information. Our sole purpose is to collect accurate, verified information and present it in a simple, easy-to-understand manner.

1. New Jersey Statutes. (n.d.). Title 39, Section 39:4-56. Retrieved from https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/.
2. New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. (n.d.). Points Schedule. Retrieved from https://www.nj.gov/mvc/.
3. NJMCDirect. (n.d.). Pay Traffic Tickets Online. Retrieved from https://www.njmcdirect.com/.
4. South Jersey Law Firm. (n.d.). Traffic Ticket Costs in NJ. Retrieved from https://www.southjerseylawfirm.com/.
5. New Jersey Traffic Ticket Attorney. (n.d.). Defense Strategies for NJ Traffic Tickets. Retrieved from https://www.newjerseytrafficticketattorney.com/.
6. Traffic Ticket Defense Blog. (2011). State v. Brackin: NJ Appellate Division Case Analysis. Retrieved from https://trafficticketdefenseblog.com/.